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About 40km southeast of Sapporo, Chitose (千歳) is home to Hokkaido’s main international airport and a transport hub for access to the lake Shikotsu-ko and Eastern Hokkaido.
Sightseeing
Chitose Aquarium
千歳水族館
10min walk from Chitose Station
One of Japan’s largest freshwater aquariums on the bank of Chitose-gawa, the underwater observatory has seven windows showcasing life under the river. In autumn sake (salmon) abound, which cruise right past the windows. A variety of tanks displaying river and lake fish in Hokkaido, such as kokanee, sturgeon and Japanese huchen.
Indian Water Wheel
インディアン水車
10min walk from Chitose Station
Situated behind the Chitose Aquarium, this traditional water wheel (introduced in 1896) for salmon fishing is installed in the river from mid July to mid December. You will be able to see the work of haunted salmon at 8am on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and at 10am or 3pm on the other days, and the day after a heavy rain.
Shikotsu-ko
支笏湖
34min by bus from Chitose Station
On the eastern side of Shikotsu-Toya National Park about 25km west of Chitose, Shikotsu-ko is Japan’s northernmost ice-free lake plunges as deep as 363m – Japan’s second-deepest lake surrounded by volcanic mountains. Shikotsuko Onsen is a charming hot spring resort and a good base for mountaineering. It is a perfect place to chill out after a long flight.
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Hotels
If you have early-morning plane the next day or avoid the unpredictable transport troubles (especially in winter), staying out in Chitose saves you time.
Photo: じゃらんnet
ANA Crowne Plaza Chitose
ANAクラウンプラザホテル千歳
7min walk from Chitose Station
Central Chitose’s best hotel offers about 300 rooms and a free shuttle bus from and to the airport. Breakfast serves from 5.30am.
Photo: じゃらんnet
JR Inn Chitose
JRイン千歳
1min walk from Chitose Station
Located in front of Chitose Station east gate, this convenient hotel has 185 modern Western-style rooms and communal baths. Breakfast serves from 6am.
Photo: じゃらんnet
Chitose Station Hotel
千歳ステーションホテル
1min walk from Chitose Station
Directly connected to Chitose Station footbridge, this business hotel has simply rooms and a shopping mall. Rate included breakfast (serves from 6am).
Map
Getting There
JR TRAIN
The rapid trains run to Chitose from New Chitose Airport (7min) via Minami-Chitose (3min), as well as Sapporo (30min).
Minami-Chitose Station (南千歳) is a stop for all the limited express trains for Muroran, Hakodate, Obihiro and Kushiro. The limited express train Suzuran stops at both Minami-Chitose and Chitose Stations.
AIR
New Chitose Airport (新千歳空港) is 5km south of the city center.
Getting Around
BUS
Chuo Bus 4 runs to Shikotsuko-onsen (支笏湖温泉) from New Chitose Airport (57min) via JR Minami-Chitose Station and JR Chitose Station west gate stop 4 (34min).
Chuo Bus 1-6 runs to New Chitose Airport International Terminal from JR Chitose Station west gate stop 3 (16min). The first bus from JR Chitose Station is departing at 5.56am. Prepaid IC cards are available.
BICYCLE
In Chitose, rental electric-bicycles are available from the Atelier (アトリエ北海道支社), a 5-minute walk west of JR Chitose Station.
Information
Chitose Station Tourist Information Center
千歳駅観光案内所
On the ground floor of the Chitose Station Plaza, directly connected to the north ticket gate. It has multilingual brochures, maps, free Wi-Fi and a souvenir shop. Staff speaks English.
Chitose Station
千歳 | 지토세
Address：7 Chiyoda-cho, Chitose-shi, Hokkaido
Distance：41km from Sapporo
Elevation：12m
北海道 千歳 新千歲機場 旅遊觀光 飯店住宿 | 홋카이도 지토세 신치토세 공항 여행 호텔